CoJourn for Graduate Students to Begin in January
As part of its commitment to supporting graduate student well-being, the Graduate School is bringing CoJourn, a 12-week peer-to-peer support program, to UMass graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for a second year.
CoJourn is a personal growth and goal achievement program that trains pairs of people to partner up for more external accountability, connection, and support as they go after their big goals and dreams. The CoJourn model was developed by UMass Amherst alumna Molly Keehn along with Karl Henricksen. Participants work with a partner and commit to 30 minutes per week of focused goal-setting, support and encouragement. Last year’s grad school participants used the program to focus on goals such as connecting with others, staying on target with academic milestones, building healthy routines and tackling procrastination.
Over 190 graduate students and postdoctoral scholars participated in CoJourn last year, and 94% of them said they would recommend the program to friends or colleagues. Comments from last year’s participants include:
- “One of the best 'sign-ups' I've made in my grad life - highly recommend!”
- “CoJourn was a wonderful way to deepen my relationship with a friend while accomplishing my goals.”
- “There is much more to life than the things we do. CoJourn curates a space to work towards the areas that often go overlooked.”
- “Just take the leap and join! CoJourn has been incredibly helpful in providing me with connection and accountability in a very isolating process of finishing my dissertation. Through CoJourn I have been able to show up for myself and my community which has truly helped my academic work.”
Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are interested in learning more about the program should visit the CoJourn for Graduate Students page. They can also register to attend an in-person info session with Molly Keehn on Tuesday, Dec.13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The CoJourn program will run from Jan. 23 through April 16, 2023.
CoJourn for UMass graduate students and postdocs is sponsored by the Graduate School and the Campus Life and Wellbeing Collaborative. While most of the cost is covered, there will be a $25 individual registration fee to participate in the 12-week program. The fee is eligible for the wellness reimbursement benefit for graduate student employees, and there will be a limited number of fee waivers available for those for whom the cost is prohibitive.